AbstractFour local sorghum varieties, Idon Makaho, Ex‐Dapchi, Ex‐Pulka, and War‐warabashi, and two improved varieties, ICVS 1002 and ICVS 1007, were tested for resistance to Striga hermonthica in the 1997 and 1998 rainy seasons. There was no significant difference in the number of emerged Striga shoots in 1997, but in 1998 ICSV 1002 and ICSV 1007 had fewer Striga shoots than the other varieties. Ex‐Dapchi and Idon Makaho had moderate resistance to Striga. Idon‐Makaho produced significantly the highest grain yield, except that it showed no significant difference from Ex‐Dapchi and Ex‐Pulka in 1997. ICSV 1002 and ICSV 1007 produced significantly the lowest grain yields. Thus the local varieties had significantly the highest number of Striga and produced the highest grain yields. These local varieties could be useful in breeding for resistance to Striga and high grain yield. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd